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Rosemary Clooney: Songs From The Girl Singer: A Musical Autobiography

By Jim Santella
December 1, 1999
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Rosemary Clooney: Songs From The Girl Singer: A Musical Autobiography

This compilation provides a summary of Rosemary Clooney’s singing career. Intended to serve as a companion piece for her Doubleday autobiography Girl Singer: An Autobiography which was be released last month, the 2-CD set is organized into two logical volumes. Disc one begins with a 1946 radio session with Tony Pastor and concludes with a 1961 studio session with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra. Disc two is an overview of her Concord Records years up to the present.

Rosemary Clooney’s walk through history is like a radio that plays snapshots of the Twentieth Century. Turn the dial and, instead of changing the station, you’re changing the decade. With her sister Betty, "Sisters" recalls the pure harmony and clear articulation Clooney has always espoused. "Blue Rose" was only recently reissued on CD and offers the singer’s warm wordless vocal style alongside the Duke Ellington Orchestra (recorded separately but mixed with superb results). "Come On-A My House" was Clooney’s first single, and it represents an unforgettable chapter in pop vocal music history. Similarly, "Mambo Italiano" captures the lively charm and fresh attitude so often brought forward in Clooney’s singing career. My favorite is "Route 66," where she works hand in hand with Warren Vaché and Scott Hamilton. Which aspect of Rosemary Clooney’s career is your favorite?

Track Listing

Sooner Or Later; Bargain Day; Peach Tree Street; Beautiful Brown Eyes; Come On-A My House; Tenderly; Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep; Hey There; You

Personnel

Rosemary Clooney

vocals

Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Jos

Album information

Title: Songs From The Girl Singer: A Musical Autobiography | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

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